“You were late, but she was even later!” Susie laughs.
We watch her come toward us, but she trips on something and falls onto a table, smashing a glass of water.
“Oh my goodness, I am so sorry,” she apologizes to the occupants who jump up to help her.
“Wow, that wasn’t particularly graceful,” I mutter, hiding my smile in case she isn’t okay. The occupants help her stand, and as she raises a hand, I see a trickle of blood. Mark stands up, his wings vibrating with his need to heal her, but before he can go to her, there is a blur of movement, and Saxon’s clan sister, Vanity, is suddenly standing in front of my Skarrian friend.
She’s growling and sniffing the air. “Blood rose,” she declares and leaps at Magenta.
In a panic, I lift my hand and throw magic at her. I’ve never frozen anyone before, but fuck, I hope this works. Sure enough, Vanity is left frozen in mid-leap, and I heave out a sigh of relief.
“Fuck, this is going to be a problem.”
Mark and I hurry over to the wrecked table. A waitress is there, cleaning things up, and I apologize again to the occupants who wave us off like it’s no bother. Magenta, although not frozen by my spell, is stunned into inactivity. The blood trickles down her hand as she gapes at the frozen Vilaxian in front of her.
Mark heals her hand while I use my watch to send an SOS to Link and Saxon before turning to my friend.
“Well, you were saying you were thinking about settling down. Congratulations, you just hit the jackpot,” I joke.
Her skin turns paler, and she drops in a dead faint. Luckily Mark has quick reflexes and catches her before she does any more damage.
“What a clusterfuck.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Lila
By the time Link and Saxon arrive, Magenta has regained consciousness. Saxon takes one look at a frozen Vanity and pales.
“Shit, what happened?” he asks, looking around the now deserted cafe, his eyes settling on the mess Magenta made of the table when she tripped. I asked everyone to move to another cafe while we sorted this out, and they were all happy to comply, but I don’t doubt that rumors of what happened are already circling the ship.
“So it turns out that Magenta is Vanity’s blood rose,” I explain, looking down at my friend who is still on the floor.
Mark’s hands are glowing as he checks her out, but they stop, and he sits back on his heels. “You’re alright. Your blood pressure plummeted with your shock, causing you to pass out. I’m going to raise your legs to help with that.” He gestures to one of the chairs, and Link moves it into place for him, knowing exactly what he wants. “I also healed the cut on your hand from the glass.”
Magenta still looks a little pale, and I crouch down next to her, taking her hand. “Are you okay?”
I’m referring to her mental state now that I know she is physically okay. She blinks a couple of times, staring at me without seeing. I look to Mark and Link for advice, but Link just makes abe patienthand gesture.
“Mags?” I push, looking to where Vanity is still frozen. “Hey, I think that should last, but maybe we should get Xavier or Zeydan here to reinforce it,” I suggest to the others. Susie gives me a thumbs-up and moves to the side to contact one of my power hitters.
“Did she say I am her blood rose?” Magenta asks, her voice quiet and unsure.
I nod my head. “Yeah, she did. Have you even met her?” I ask. I’ve been so busy that I’ve only seen Mags during rehearsals the last couple of days.
“I met her briefly during rehearsals when Titus and Malik invited me to watch Thorn rehearse with them.”
Huh. Mags was hanging out with Titus and Malik? I hadn’t been privy to that rumor yet. Maybe they are keeping it low-key for now.
I raise an eyebrow at my friend, and she blushes. “They’ve been helping me avoid Nixie since she returned.”
That makes me frown. Although I understand it, I think they need to talk, even if it’s to clear the air.
She rolls her eyes at my frown. “It’s fine, we talked. I’m like whatever. I’m happy she found a mate. She wanted to rekindle things, but I’m not sure I want to. I’m hurt, and I’m not ready to play nice. Malik and Titus are a nice, nonsexual distraction.” She stresses the word nonsexual. Hmm, maybe she really meant it when she told me she wanted more.
“Dude, you are preaching to the choir. I completely understand. Trust is going to be a long road walked.”
She looks at me with confusion in her eyes, and I realize that maybe my metaphors are unfamiliar to her.
